On anachronism done deliberately.

[sharpiefan]

(OK, this isn't specifically for women in re-enactment, but it is about re-enactment, so...)

I have just acquired a c.1880 hot water fountain/boiler for use in a Napoleonic-period camp to enable us to have hot water 'on tap' for tea/coffee and musket cleaning. We're not the first unit to have one of these - I have seen two other units with something very similar - and I was wondering...

Do you or your group intentionally use something that is anachronistic for your chosen period because it looks 'right' or it makes life at events that much easier? And if you do, has it been pointed out by others as being anachronistic?

Comments

[ironjeff]

When I'm not at work I'll see what I can find for that (my firewall blocks too many things for effective searches of that kind of thing!).

Basically it's a hook-shaped rammer that allows the rammer, sponger, etc. to be entirely behind the muzzle at all times.

Aboard ship it also has the advantage of not requiring the gun crew to lean over the rail (since most captains do NOT want the gun muzzle inboard of the rail at all, to protect the public aboard).

[sharpiefan]

Ah! That makes sense! Thank you for your explanation. (I'm pretty sure that most members of the public wouldn't have a clue about whether something's correct for the period or not - but it's the few who do who like to give us grief about it!)